Compressed fluid circuit breaker with multiple breaks



Nov. 23, 1937. c c

COMPRESSED FLUID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREAK s Filed Nov. 1a, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 E/ .9 ME 1 c B E I w m 1 m n vlu W r i C. aioblwn-nsf N. A.

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A. CLERC Nov. 23, 1937.

' COMPRESSED FLUID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREAKS e NOV. 1934 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/z fe/z Z211 ind/ e Clerc ./\A i 4. v

.l I l I I I l l l I I l l I I l| llll ll Nov. 23, 1937. V A CLERC 2,100,182

COMPRESSED FLUID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREAKS Filed Nov. 16, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig- 6 Nov. 23, 1937. CLERC 2,100,182

COMPRESSED FLUID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREAKS Filed Nov. 16, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig. 7

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COMPRESSED FLUID CIRCUIT BREAKER WITH MULTIPLE BREAKS Filed Nov. 16, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1 In vents) 672m:

UN 8 0 1 1 a I I Q wflwmf A 924% 1 rk r H 4 2 i v E W r 4 m 1 I I 4 J W Cal mm orrics C(BMPRESSED FLUKE @EIRCUIT BREAKER MUL'IL LE BREAKS Andre Clerc, Villeurloanne, France, assignor to Ateliers do @onstructicns Electri ues dc Belle,

Parley Application November 1934, Serial No. 153,341

Germany elect-nicer 13, 1933 Circuit-breakers are known in winch the are at break is blown by a compressed fluid directed transversally to the direction of the displacement of the movable contact. My prior American Patent No. 1,961,475 refers to a circuit breaker or this type in which one of the con-= tacts is connected to an extremity electrode and the other to a second electrode, these two e1ec-= trodes being fixed behind the contacts and disposed one behind the other preferably in the axis of the extinguishing blast. This device gives good results when operating with medium voltages. With such voltages the single break is quite effective for the reason that the distance between the two electrodes which is determined by the restriking voltage is relatively small and admits the use of an extinguishing chamber of normal height. Further the extremity electrode being disposed atno great distance from the contacts and from the blast pipe, the extinguishing blast is sufiiciently effective to drive away the gases formed by the are.

However, as soon as the voltage exceeds a certain value, the extinguishing chamber becomes very long, the distance between electrodes too great and the exterior electrode as well as that portion of the are near this electrode are insumciently swept by the extinguishing blast.

The present invention remedies these disadvantages loy converting the above referred to type of apparatus into circuit-breakers provided with multiple breaks. The said invention relates to electric circuit-breakers in which one or several arcs produced at break are blown transversally by means of a compressed fluid against one or several systems of auxiliary electrodes electrically connected together and disposed in the zone oi the extinguishing blast where they are juxtaposed to main contacts (or electrodes) and situated behind the latter considered in the direction of the blast. The invention is character'- ized in that at least two auxiliary electrodes electrically connected together are disposed side by side and juxtaposed totwo opposed main contacts (or electrodes) of the circuit-breaker, in such manner that the are produced at break is divided into at least two separate arcs, each such are having its points oi origin on a main contact and on an auxiliary electrode.

In this manner the are or arcs initially dis posed transversally to the extinguishing blast are each transformed into at least two approximately straight arcs in parallel direction to said extinguishing blast, these arcs being in series but separated one from the other lay the clos (Cl. Mi li-148) trical connections provided between the various auxiliary electrodes.

The annexed drawings show diagrammatically several embodiments of the object of the invention in which air constitutes the compressed extinguishing fluid.

Figs. 1 to 3 show three diagrams of circuitbreakers with a single system of auxiliary electrodes. v

Figs. 4 to 6 show in section two other embodiments with a single system of auxiliary electrodes, Fig. 5 being a section through XYX in ,Figs. 7 to 9 show three embodiments of circuitbreakers provided with two systems of auxiliary electrodes. 1

Finally Figs. 10 and 11 show two alternative systems of auxiliary electrodes.

For the sake of simplicity, Figs. 1 to 3 and 7 to 8 only show the elements which carry the electric current, the chimneys and conduits for the extinguishing blast being eliminated.

In all these figures the various fixed contacts have been designated by A, A A and the mov able contacts by B, B B The single system of auxiliary electrodes of Figures 1 to 6 bears the reference 0 and the different electrodes of this system disposed in the zone of the blast are designated by C C C In similar manner, in Figures 7 to 9 the second system of auxiliary electrodes is indicated by D and its electrodes by D and D The closed position of the contacts is indicated by dash and dot lines, and their open position by full lines. The direction of the blast is indicated by vertical arrows.

The resistances inserted in the circuit of the are when the circuit-breaker is opened are designated by E E E The electrodes directly connected to the com tests A and B and juxtaposed to the auxiliary electrodes of systems C and D are designated by F and F The intermediary electrodes disposed between contacts A or B or their electrodes F on the one hand and the auxiliary electrodes of systems 0 Q for the various blast pipes of a circuit-breaker bears the reference K.

Finally, the cooling devices provided at the outlet of chimneys H and indicated diagrammaticalily in Figures 4 'to 6 and 9 are indicated by L L The operation of the various devices shown is as follows.

In the device shown in Fig. 1 in which the auxiliary electrodes C and C of a single system C are juxtaposed to the contacts A and B from which they are entirely insulated, the arc under the influence of the blast first assumes the curved shape shown by the line a. The are then reaches the auxiliary electrodes C and C and is thus transformed into two independent arcs b and 0 parallel to the extinguishing blast, in series with the contacts and separated one from the other by the heavy resistanceless conductor C. The two arcs b and 0 being disposed parallel to the stream lines of the blast are easily extinguished by the latter.

It sometimes happens that whilst the are a which under the influence of the blast is curved towards the auxiliary electrodes C and C is still at a certain distance away from the latter, the space between these electrodes and the contacts A and B is so highly ionized by the gases of arc a that a commutation phenomenon of the are a into the two arcs b and 0 takes place before an actual contact of the are a. with the electrodes C and C; under these circumstances the are a extinguishes itself without having come in contact with these electrodes and the extinction of the arcs b and c then takes place as indicated above.

In the device shown in Fig. 2, the electrodes C and C are each juxtaposed to one of the movable contacts B and B a conjuncting conductor M being provided between these contacts. The operation is the same as that described for the preceding device. The arcs EM and m are curved and come into contact with electrodes C and C Being short-clrcuited the inner branches at and e of the arcs are extinguished and the two arcs f and g which correspond to the arcs b and c in Fig. 1 only subsist. In the event of heavy ionization of the spaces B, C and B C the above referred to commutation phenomenon takes place.

In the device shown in Fig. 3' two movable contacts B and I?! traverse in opposite directions two electrodes or conjuncting members M M so as to develop three arcs. To these electrodes are juxtaposed the three auxiliary electrodes C 0*, C of a system C insulated from the contact and electrodes. Under the influence of the transverse blast the three curved arcs reach the electrodes or are commutated onto same. The middle curved arc is first extinguished and is followed by the extinction of the ether two arcs.

In the three embodiments described, the system of auxiliary electrodes C is supposed to be entirely insulatedfrom the contacts. However, the system C may also be connected electrically to one of the contacts, preferably by a resistance E as shown in chain-dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this case, the resistance is inserted into the circuit and after having accelerated the extinction of the shunted arc (arc C in Fig. 1 for example) it then accelerates the extinction of the are or arcs with which it is then connected in series. 1

From the electrical point ofview, the circuitbrealser in accordance with Figs. 4 and 5 resembles the diagramsof Figs. 1 and 2. It however difiers in that it is provided with fixed electrodes F and F each connected to one of the contacts A B and juxtaposed to the auxiliary electrodes C and C of system C. On the other hand, system C is entirely insulated from the contacts A B and from the electrodes F 1 as is the case in Fig. 2, however between these latter electrodes and the auxiliary electrodes C 0 intermediary electrodes G and G each "connected to one of the contacts through the resistances E and F have been provided.

From the pneumatic point of view, this circuitbreaker diiferentiates itself from the diagrams of Figs. 1 and 2 in that the two auxiliary electrodes of system C are each disposed in the centre of a distinct chamber H, each of these chambers being fed by a blast pipe J. The two blast pipes J and J are fed from the common conduit K.

In this device, the arc struck at break between A and B is curved by the extinguishing blast; each of its extreme portions driven against the electrodes F and F penetrates into one of the chimneys H and H whereas its central portion is held back by the central partition disposed between the two blast pipes J J The single are thus assumes the shape of the two arcs shown in Fig. 2 and its various sections are extinguished as described above with the sole difierence that as a consequence of the shunting of sections F G and F G by the resistances E E the arcs F G and F 6 are extinguished before the remaining sections G C and G C The insertion of these resistances reduces the intensity of the subsisting arcs and this facilitates their extinction.

It is to be noted that to facilitate the penetration of the initial are into the two chambers H H the central partition between the two blast pipes is provided with a slot N disposed in the plane in which the arc is blown.

Instead of providing two entirely separate chimneys H as in the devices of Figs. 4 and 5, in certain embodiments it is sufficient to separate by means of avertical partition the two halves of the system C.

The circuit-breaker in accordance with Fig. 6 only difiers from the preceding device by the fact that only one shunting resistance is made use'of. This resistance instead of connecting one of the contacts with an auxiliary electrode, connects the contact directly with the system C. The are consequently assumes the same shapes as in the preceding circuit-breakenwith the exception that after the introduction of the resistance it is the arc C F which is entirely extinguished thereby throwing this resistance in series with the arc C F This latter are being weakened by the insertion of the resistance is rapidly extinguished by the blast.

In the'three circuit-breakers shown in Figs. 7. 8 and 9 two systems C and D are provided each of which possessing two auxiliary electrodes In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the two systems of auxiliary electrodes are insulated from the contacts. In the circuit-breaker shown in Fig. 8 the system C is insulated and the system D connected by the two resistances E E to'the con-' tact B on the one hand and on the other-to the 'conjuncting member M disposed between the two contacts D.

In Fig. 9, the system D is connected in the same manner as in Fig. 8, but in this case the system C is also connected to the movable contact through the resistance E In the three Figs. '7, 8 and 9, the two initial arcs being blown transversely are consequently,

transformed into four straight arcs all connected in series.

In the device shown in Fig. '7, the four arcs F C C'-1VF, M -D and D ---F are extinguished by the blast without being shunted. In the circuit-breaker shown in Fig. 8, two arcs are entirely shunted and the arc F --C is only partially shunted; by the extinction of these three arcs the three resistances are connected in series with the arcs G --C and C M which are subsequently extinguished.

In the device shown in Fig. 9 three arcs are entirely shunted, the fourth arc C M is the last to be extinguished.

Fig. 9 shows a particular disposition of the various chimneys and blast pipes corresponding to that of Fig. 6, a disposition which can equally be adopted in the devices corresponding to the diagrams of Figs. 7 and 8.

Instead of constituting the system of electrodes in the form of a forked member whose extremities are provided with the auxiliary electrodes as shown in the preceding figures, a system formed by a straight or bent bar as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 may also be used. In all these systems of electrodes C, the conductor coupling together the various electrodes may be protected by an electric insulating material.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner thesame is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, two contacts relatively movable to produce an arc at break; two fixed, electrically interconnected auxiliary electrodes spaced laterally from each other in the plane of movement of said contacts, and having their free ends directed toward the latter; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past said relatively movable contacts toward said fixed auxiliary electrodes and transversely to the path of movement of said contacts, to project the are extending between said relatively movable contacts into contact with said fixed auxiliary electrodes thereby to divide said are into two separate arcs, each extending paral- "lel to the direction of said blast between one of arcs at break, each extending between said con-' .juncting conductor and one of said movable con-.

tacts; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past, and transversely to, the path of.

movement of said relatively movable contacts and toward said fixed auxiliary electrodes, to project said two arcs extending between said two movable contacts and said conjuncting conductor into contact with said two fixed auxiliary electrodes respectively, thereby to short-circuit said 'arcs and extinguish their inner branches, their outer branches, extending substantially parallel to the direction of said blast, being thus readily extinguished bythe latter.

3. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, two contacts; a plurality of electrically interconnected fixed auxiliary electrodes spaced laterally from each other in the plane of said contacts and having their free ends directed toward the latter; a plurality of conjuncting conductors positioned between said contacts in line with the latter and suitably spaced from each other, said contacts being relativelyv movable into and out of contact with said conjuncting conductors to produce as many arcs at break as there are fixed auxiliary electrodes, the end arcs eachextending between one of said contacts and the adjacent conjuncting conductor and the intermediate arcs each extending between two adjacent conjuncting conductors; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past, and transversely to the path of movement of said contacts, and toward said fixed auxiliary electrodes, to project said arcs, one into contact with each of said fixed auxiliary electrodes, thereby to short circuit and extinguish said arcs.

4. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, two contacts relatively movable to produce an are at break; two fixed, electrically interconnected auxiliary electrodes, spaced laterally from each other in the plane of movement of said contacts and having their free ends directed toward the latter; means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past, and transversely to the path of movement of said contacts and toward said fixed auxiliary electrodes, to project the are produced between said contacts and extending transversely to the direction of said blast, into contact with said fixed auxiliary electrodes, thereby to divide said are into two separate arcs extending parallel to the direction of said blast between one of said contacts and one of said auxiliary electrodes respectively, thereby facilitating extinction of said are; and a resistance connecting said auxiliary electrodes to one of said contacts to accelerate the extinction of said arc.

5. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, a conduit; a chimney; a partition extending within and lengthwise of said chimney; communicating passages leading from said conduit and opening into said chimney at opposite sides of said partition; means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid through said conduit, said passages and said chimney upon both sides of said partition; two contacts located in said conduit and relatively movable transversely to the direction of said blast to produce an are at break; two

auxiliary electrodes electrically interconnected r and situated in said chimney upon opposite sides,

' respectively, of said partition,'said electrodes being insulated from said relatively movable contacts.

6. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, a conduit; a chimney; a partition extending lengthwise of said chimney; communicating passages leading from said conduit and opening into said chimney at opposite sides of said partition; means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid through said conduit, said passages and said chimney upon both sides of said partition; two contacts located in said conduit and relatively movable transversely to the direction of said blast to producev an are at break; two auxiliary electrodes electrically interconnected and situated in said chimney upon opposite sides respectively of said partition, said electrodes being insulated from said relatively movable contacts; two fixed electrodes located between said auxiliary electrodes and said relatively movable contacts, and connected one to each one of the latter; and two intermediary electrodes between said fixed electrodes and said auxiliary electrodes, said intermediary electrodes being each connected to one of said relatively movable contacts through suitable resistances.

'7 A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, a conduit; a chimney; a partition extending lengthwise of said chimney; communicating passages leading from said conduit and opening into said chimney at opposite sides respectively of said partition; means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid through said conduit, said passages and said chimney upon both sides of said partition; two contacts located in said conduit and relatively movable transversely to the direction of said blast to produce an arc at break; two auxiliary electrodes electrically interconnected and situated in said chimney upon opposite sides respectively of said partition; two fixed electrodes located between said auxiliary electrodes and said relatively movable contacts and connected one to each one of the latter; and two intermediary electrodes between said fixed electrodes and said auxiliary electrodes; and a resistance connecting said auxiliary electrodes with one of said relatively movable contacts.

8. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, two contacts; aconjuncting conductor positioned between said contacts in the plane of the latter; said contacts being relatively movable into' and out of contact with said conjuncting conductor to produce two arcs at break, each extending .between said conjuncting conductor and one of said movable contacts; two systems of auxiliary electrodes insulated, one system from the other and from said movable contacts, each system comprising two auxiliary electrodes interconnected and spaced laterally from each other in the plane of movement of said contacts; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fiuid past, and transversely, to the path of movement of said contacts, to project the arcs produced transversely to the direction of 'said blast between said contacts, into contact with said auxiliary electrodes, thus to divide said arcs into a plurality of individual arcs extending substantially parallel to said blast, thereby facilitating their extinction by said blast. 1

9. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination,two contacts; a conjuncting conductor positioned between said contacts in the plane of the latter, said contacts being relatively movable into and out of contact with said conjunctingconductor to produce two arcs .at break, each extending between said conjuncting conductor and one of said movable contacts; two systems of auxiliary electrodes insulated one system from the other and from said movable contacts, each system comprising two auxiliary electrodes; two

' fixed electrodes located between said auxiliary electrodes and said movable contacts and con-' nected one to each of the latterr-an intermediary electrode between said fixed electrodes and said auxiliary electrodes, said intermediary electrode being connected to one of said relatively movable,

intermediary electrode and said aumliary electrodes, thus to divide said arcs into a plurality of individual arcs extending substantially parallel to said blast, thereby facilitating their extinction by said blast.

10. A circuit-breaker comprising, in combination, two contacts; a conjuncting conductor positioned between said contacts in the plane of the latter, said contacts being relatively movable into and out of contact with said conjuncting conductor to produce two arcs at break, each extending between said conjuncting conductor and one of said movable contacts, respectively;-

two systems of auxiliary electrodes insulated one system from the other, each system comprising two auxiliary electrodes, having their free ends directed towards said contacts; two fixed electrodes located between said auxiliary electrodes and said movable contacts and connected one to each of the latter; an intermediary electrode between one of said fixed electrodes and one of said auxiliary electrodes, said intermediary electrode being connected to one of said fixed electrodes, and one of said systems of auxiliary electrodes being insulated and the other connected by two resistances to the other of said fixed electrodes on the one hand and to said conjuncting conductor on the other hand; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past, and transversely to the path of movement of said contacts, to project the arcs produced transversely to the direction of said blast be-.

tween said contacts, into contact with said fixed electrodes, said intermediary electrode and said auxiliary electrodes, thus to divide said arcs into a plurality of individual arcs extending substantially parallel to said blast, to facilitate their extinction by said blast.

11. A circuit-breaker.comprising, in combination, two contacts; a conjuncting conductor positioned between said contacts, in the plane of the latter, said contacts being relatively movable into and out of contact with said conjuncting conductor to produce two arcs at break, each extending between said conjuncting conductor and one of said movable contacts respectively;

,two systems of auxiliary electrodes insulated one system from the other, each system comprising two auxiliary electrodes having their free ends directed towards said contacts; two fixed electrodes located between said auxiliary electrodes and said movable contacts and connected each to one of the latter, both of said systems of auxiliary electrodesbeing connected each to' one of said relatively movable contacts-through a suitable resistance; and means to project a blast of extinguishing fluid past, and transversely to the path of movement of said contacts, to project the arcs produced transversely to the direction of said blast between said contacts, into contact ANDRE CLERC. 

